The Bison men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams faced two Patriot League opponents in their first scored competitions of the 2019-20 season on Oct. 18-19. Both teams swept Holy Cross and Boston University, leaving them each with 2-0 records as they prepare to host their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 26.

In the first meet of the weekend, the women’s team toppled the Crusaders 168-127 and the men pulled ahead with a score of 165-96. Both the men and women won a total of 11 events each, with ten different men winning individual events. The women swept all three spots on the podium in the 100 freestyle and 3-meter dive, while the men accomplished the same in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.

Sunday proved to be an equally successful day, as the Bison swept the competition again at Boston University.

The men finished with a winning score of 149-139, earned by several strong performances by both seasoned veterans and rookies alike. Liam Pitt ’22 competed in four of the nine events won by the Bison, making appearances in the 100 fly, 50 and 100 freestyle and 200 medley relay. In his Patriot League debut, Leo Kuyl ’23 competed in both winning relays, took second in the 50 free and took third in the 100 free. Fellow newcomer Matt Mills ’23 joined Pitt and Kuyl on the podium in the 100 free to round off the 1-2-3 sweep. This marks the men’s first win over the Terriers in five years.

“The spirit and drive of this group of student-athletes is simply unmatched and it is evident from top to bottom that each and every person is all in for this season,” Kevin Flynn ’21 said.

Victories by Abby Merriman ’20 in the 1,000 and 500 freestyle accounted for two of eight wins for the women, who topped the Terriers by a score of 166-134.  Meghan Taner ’22 and Emma Hadley ’20 were the only swimmers of the day to finish races in under a minute, nabbing first and second place in the 100 backstroke. The second of three 1-2 sweeps came from Alexis Faria ’22 and Sabrina Vumbacco ’23, taking first and second in the 200 fly, respectively. The duo accounted for the final 1-2 sweep in the 100 fly, swapping places on the podium in this event.

“No one on the current roster of the men’s swimming and diving team has been a part of a 2-0 start to a season before, and we are a long way from over,” said Flynn

The Bison will seek to extend their winning streak as they host their first meet of the season against Binghamton on Oct. 26.